November 2 - The Bisons (0-1) started their 2007-2008 campaign at the Duckworth Challenge, looking to erase the memory of a rather mediocre pre-season, losing three of their most recent games. Winnipeg (2-1), who had already started their regular season the week before, were looking to leave the Investors Group Athletic Centre above .500, after splitting a road trip at UBC.

The University of Winnipeg Wesmen spoiled the Bisons home opener by taking the game in three sets (25-21, 26-24, 25-23).

“This was a pretty important game to open the season against Winnipeg because they’re the national champions,” said Bisons head coach Phil Hudson. “It helps us prepare mentally because we kept with them for most of the match.”

The visiting team took the opening set 25-21. Winnipeg’s Ben Schellenberg was a force to be reckoned with as he stuffed the Herd on more than occasion. Despite coming close to tying the game several times, the Bisons couldn’t make the final push in the set.

The second set was more of a back-and forth affair between the two squads. By the first technical, the Wesmen were beginning to pull away with a five-point-lead. The Bisons managed to stick around later in the set however, bringing the game within a point 15-14. At the end of a long set the score was 26-24 for the visiting Wesmen.

In a tight third set, the Bisons seemed poised to take the lead with extended rallies off great defensive plays. The Wesmen offensive strength was too much for the herd however, and they slowly extended the lead in the set by three points down the stretch. The final score in the set was 25-23. The Wesmen took the third set and the match 3-0.

The Wesmen’s Justin Duff lead all players with 15 kills, while top Bison honours went to John Galloway who had 9 kills and 23 assists.

After the game, Coach Hudson was already looking to make adjustments within his squad. “We have to try and stop their middles by blocking or serving more strategically,” said Hudson.

“Winnipeg is a very good team,” said Hudson, “but hopefully we can continue on and play our game tomorrow.”

These two teams will play each other one more time on Saturday, November 3 at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre. The game will start at 5:30 p.m.

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